Remembering Mahamana Malaviya on his death anniversary

Madan Mohan Malaviya is a well-known name across India. He was an educationist, journalist, lawyer, and, most importantly, a foremost freedom fighter. On this day, 69 years ago in 1946, he died at the age of 85.

Let us have a brief look into his life and legacy on his 69th death anniversary.

Malaviya was born in Allahabad on December 25, 1861. His father Pt Baijnath was a Sanskrit scholar and a Kathavacak who used to narrate Srimad Bhagavatham. He had his early schooling in Sanskrit pathashala but later joined an English school. He completed his BA from Calcutta University in 1884.

Though he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and practice Kathavachan, due to the abject poverty of the family, he was forced to take up the job of a teacher at the Govt High School, Allahabad for a salary of Rs 40 per month.

He passed his LLB in 1891 and began practicing in Allahabad district court. Later, in 1893, he started practicing in Allahabad High court. On his 50th birthday in 1913, Malaviya left his legal career for serving the country.

Malaviya also worked as a journalist for few years. He joined the Hindi daily “Hindosthan” in 1887 as its editor. In 1889, he joined “Indian Opinion” as its editor. He also published an English newspaper ‘Leader’ in 1909 to campaign against British’s attempt to bring Press Act and then a Hindi newspaper ‘Maryada’ in 1910. He also served as the chairman of the Hindustan Times from 1924 to 1946.

He was firmly rooted in Hindu religious ideals and tirelessly worked for Hindu issues. He worked as a secretary of ‘Prayaga Hindu Samaj’ in 1880, organized ‘Madhya Bharat Hindu Samaj Conference’ in 1885, and organized a conference of ‘Sanatana Dharma Mahasabha’ in 1906.

In the political field, he served as Congress President for four times-1909 (Lahore), 1918 (Delhi), 1930 (Delhi) and1932 (Calcutta). He vehemently opposed the provision for the separate electorate for Muslims under the Lucknow Pact. In 1928, he joined Lala Lajpat Rai in protesting against Simon commission. He was also arrested during the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1932.

Though, Malaviya had left his legal career in 1913, he once again donned his lawyers robe in 1924 for defending 170 people who were convicted in Chauri Chaura incident, and were sentenced to death by the sessions court. He managed to save 155 of them from death penalty.

Malaviya worked tirelessly for the upliftment of Dalits. He also worked for the protection of cows and founded Gorakshak Mandal. The poor and downtrodden received his attention as well. He was also one of the founding fathers of scouting for Indians.

But, it is in the field of education, that Malaviya’s work has had the greatest influence on Indian society. He established Benares Hindu University in 1916 in Varanasi, which is today one of the largest residential universities in Asia with over 20,000 students studying arts, science, medicine, engineering, and agriculture. He is also credited to have popularized the Upanishadic slogan “Satyameva Jayate” that was later adopted as the national motto.

Thus, ‘Mahamana Malaviya’, as he was fondly called, made an enormous contribution to Indian politics, education, and society. He is rightly considered as one of the founding fathers of Modern India. On his death anniversary, people should remember his dedication, hard work, and sacrifice for the sake of India and try to imbibe those qualities in their own lives.

BHU's founder, Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was notable for his role in the Indian independence movement. Wikimedia Commons

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was established by Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1916. It is a public central university located in Varanasi. BHU has 12,000 students residing on its campus, it is the largest residential university in Asia. 6 institutes, 14 streams, and about 140 departments form the BHU. It has students coming in from 48 countries.

BHU’s founder, Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was notable for his role in the Indian independence movement.

BHU has 12,000 students residing on its campus, it is the largest residential university in Asia. Wikimedia Commons

Here are some facts about the founder of BHU, Madan Mohan Malaviya:

1. Satyameva Jayete

Madan Mohan Malaviya has been credited with popularising ‘Satyameva Jayate’- India’s national motto. Panditji did not coin the term.

2. BHU

He worked hard to make Banaras Hindu University (BHU) a reality. When he was denied funding by the Nizam, he supposedly auctioned his slipper at a market. The same Nizam bid for the chappal and bought it at a massive price.

3. Politics

Even though a Congress leader, today even the BJP sees him as an inspiration, just like Vallabhbhai Patel. He was president of the Indian National Congress for four times.

4. Hindu-Muslim Unity

Malaviya is often described as a Hindu nationalist, but he always strived for Hindu-Muslim unity.Here is an excerpt from his presidential address at the INC’s Calcutta session in 1933.

“I implore all Hindus and Mussalmans, Sikhs, Christians and Parsees and all other countrymen to sink all communal differences and to establish political unity among all sections of the people. In the midst of much darkness, I see a clear vision that the clouds which have long been hanging over our heads are lifting. Let every son and daughter do his or her duty to expedite the advent of dawn of the day of freedom and happiness. Truth is on our side. Justice is with us. God will help us. We are sure to win. Vande Mataram.”

5. Chauri Chaura

Panditji used to practice law at Allahabad High Court. He was the one to defend most the accused in 1922 Chauri Chaura riots. He is said to have saved 153 accused of getting the death penalty.